TRUMBULL COUNTY Rapist is labeled a sexual predator

The victim testified that the defendant sexually assaulted her numerous times. By PEGGY SINKOVICH VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF WARREN -- If David Lockney is released from prison, his next-door neighbors will find out. Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, following a brief hearing Wednesday, ruled that Lockney, 46, will have to register as a sexual predator if he is granted parole. That means he'll have to notify the sheriff's department in the county where he lives of his designation. The sheriff's department will then send letters informing Lockney's neighbors that he is a sexual predator. Atty. Anthony Consoldane, of the pubic defender's commission, said he doesn't believe his client is a sexual predator. He noted that Lockney has served 15 years in prison and attended classes in prison for sexual offenders. Thomas Wrenn, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, disagreed, saying he believes that Lockney could reoffend if he is free. Victim's testimony Lockney's daughter, who is now 23, testified during Wednesday's hearing that her father would wake her up in the middle of the night and sexually assault her. She said she would cry and beg him to stop, but he refused. She said the assaults occurred numerous times. When asked how she felt about her father, she began sobbing and then said, "I wish he were dead." Lockney, who admitted to repeatedly raping his daughter when she was 6 and 7 years old, is serving four life sentences at Grafton Correctional Facility. He was eligible for parole after serving 10 years, officials said. The state parole board granted parole to Lockney earlier this year. He was scheduled to be released July 8, however, that date was postponed after Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins asked for a full board review. The review is scheduled to be held next month, officials said. Lockney pleaded guilty July 23, 1987, in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to four counts of rape and one count of attempted rape. At the time, Watkins referred to it as the worst case of child molestation ever in the county. Pleaded guilty The Lordstown man, who originally pleaded innocent by reason of insanity, was deemed competent to stand trial. He pleaded guilty only after he learned his daughter was going to testify against him, court officials said. Lockney's wife, Lillian, pleaded guilty to child endangering for failing to protect her daughter. She was placed on probation. Watkins said the rapes took place from August 1986 to February 1987. The brutal attacks caused serious physical harm that required the daughter to be hospitalized for two weeks. sinkovich@vindy.com